Everyone in Birdland has a case of the Strand.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand has made his impact known in the first two games of the Orioles’ series against the Cardinals. He is a staggering 6-for-10, crushing a 450-foot home run in the series opener before delivering the go-ahead RBI double in the ninth inning of game two.
He has been fantastic in his short stint with the Orioles.
When Blaze Alexander was hit by a pitch in a blowout win over the Kansas City Royals just before the All-Star Break, it put a damper on the excitement surrounding the team. Alexander was placed on the 10-day injured list with a nondisplaced fracture in his left hand.
At the time, it felt like a devastating blow. However, it also opened the door for Encarnacion-Strand. CES was recalled from Triple-A as the corresponding move, and he has been a monster offensively ever since.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s 31-Game Stint
- .264 AVG
- .820 OPS
- 7 HR
- 27 RBI
- 92.2 mph average exit velocity, ranking in the 90th percentile
Encarnacion-Strand’s rise through the minors was fueled by absolute power. After being drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, he quickly became one of the best sluggers in the minors.
In 2022, he crushed 32 home runs and posted a .955 OPS in the minors. He was then sent to Cincinnati as part of the trade that brought Tyler Mahle to Minnesota.
It did not take long for CES to reach the majors. He debuted in July 2023 and immediately showed why there had been so much excitement surrounding the former Top 100 prospect.
In 63 games, he hit .270 with 13 home runs and an .805 OPS. He slugged eight of those home runs over his final 22 games, and it appeared he would be a significant part of the Reds’ future.
So, how did a player like this fall into the Orioles’ lap? The answer: injuries.
In 2024, CES entered the season as Cincinnati’s Opening Day first baseman. In late April, he was hit in the right hand by a pitch, suffering a fracture and ligament damage around his wrist that required season-ending surgery.
Things never clicked again in Cincinnati. A back injury and poor performance followed in 2025, leading to a demotion to Triple-A. In 2026, the Reds designated him for assignment, and the Orioles acquired him for everyone’s favorite: cash considerations.
It was a low-risk move that has worked out beautifully. CES has been healthy, and he looks more like the exciting young prospect who burst onto the scene in 2023.
Baseball is a cruel game, and Encarnacion-Strand has experienced both its highest highs and difficult lows. Despite being 26 years old, he has only played 158 career games.
Still, he has dug himself out of a hole that many players never could.
Seeing Christian Encarnacion-Strand succeed at the highest level again should put a smile on everyone’s face in Birdland.
What are your thoughts on CES? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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